NEW  LGBTI  AFRICAN POETRY  ANTHOLOGY

Submission Deadline - March 3, 2013

About the Anthology

Many African countries consider homosexuality immoral.

In some, homosexuals are subjected to corporal punishment, imprisonment, or death, simply because of their sexual orientation. These hateful acts are further galvanized by such slogans as “to be homosexual is un-African.” With this anthology, we reject this slogan and all acts of aggression against members of LGBT communities in Africa.

“We maintain that to be homosexual is African.”

Read our full Statement of Purpose.

We are calling for poems by gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender individuals living in Africa and in the Diaspora. The poems may focus on loss, childhood, violence, food, discrimination, love, fruits, disease, migration, strife, etc. In other words, poems on any topic are welcome – and in any form. The only requirement is that each poem must be of high merit, and be previously unpublished.

If you’d like to submit your work, please read through the Submission Guidelines.

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why poetry? 

Poetry is one of the most powerful, subversive and accessible mediums of expression because it does not require that the writer conform to any conventions. Poetry gives the individual an ability to translate their being and understanding of Self to the reader in a way that conventional prose cannot. Its lack of rules is a source of freedom. A freedom that is critical for the representation of the plethora of Queer African lives and stories.

Will poets be compensated for their work?

A free copy of the anthology will serve as payment.

When will the anthology be published?

No date has been set yet as we are in the process of assembling and reading over submissions. However, poets whose works are accepted for publication will be notified of a possible publication date as soon as possible.

Can photographers, illustrators, and other visual artists submit? 

Even though our primary focus is poetry, we will consider a few select high resolutionphotographs, illustrations, and other visual creative works for inclusion in this anthology. You may submit the file using the same naming convention i.e. Firstname_Lastname_[Title of Work] in PDF format.

Will the anthology be available in French or Portuguese?

We welcome publishers and other parties interested in translating the poems into French or Portuguese, subject to the terms and agreements of our publisher.

 

50 Beautiful Brown Blogs:

The Writers’ Edition

by afrolicious on February 24, 2012

This entry was posted in Fresh Daily, on ART, on THINGS by afrolicious. Bookmark the permalink.

This week on Afrolicious.com we’re featuring our favorite blogs by, of, and for all sorts of Brown people. You see, we know the creative web can be a very white place, but if you know where to look, you can be inspired by all things Brown and beautiful. All these links and more are available on the Afrolicious Network as well.

 

 

1. New Model Minority is written by my dear friend Renina. She is “a thinker, writer, blogger and current doctoral student at the University of Maryland pursing a degree in Women’s Studies.” But even more than that she is gifted with the ability to take complex theoretical constructs and write them in a way that is both personal and empowering. You always leave her site with a new way to see and understand yourself and your world. You can find her posts on Racialicious and Crunk Feminist Collective from time to time.

 

 

2. Jo Nubian writes the most beautiful pieces on personal reflection, relationships and the constant transformation of one’s self. I don’t know how else to describe her writing besides that it is full of love. Even when she is writing the most difficult pieces, you get the sense that she is with you, in her words, reaching out, connecting. You can find her at Clutch Magazine and Ebony as well.

 

 

3. Daniel José Older is an amaaaaazing writer. I cannot wait until he publishes a whole book because he knows how to take you for a journey, whether through his EMT gig, or his magically realistic imagination. His stories from the field are thrilling (for me anyway), yet he always gives his patients the dignity their humanity deserves. You can find some of his selected works of fiction here, here and here.

 

 

4. Stacia L Brown has the beginnings of a book somewhere in her site’s archives. I read all of them because how could I not? Stacia writes creative non fiction mostly but the fiction she has is refreshing.

 

 

5. I Am Nichole Black is home to writer Nichole Black’s work. She is prolific and has that gorgeous UK accent we Americans just love to adore. How do I know this? Because, in addition to her writing, she’s started a podcast to share her thoughts on popular culture, race and feminism against a backdrop of really, good, music. Thanks to @designjuju on twitter who connected us several days ago!

6. Warsan Shire just published a book of her poems titled “teaching my mother how to give birth“. Before her tumblr there was her blogspot, which, though sparsely updated now, holds many gems from this brilliant young poet’s mind.

7. Adventures From the Bedrooms of African Women is a group blog of erotic ecounters… from the bedrooms of African women. It’s delicious. That is all.

Come back next week for the rest of this awesome series! I hope you’ve enjoyed these links as much as I have. Remember, you can find these and more at the Afrolicious Network. Don’t forget to drop your favorite writers’ links in the comments!

 

UNEMPLOYMENT RATE

FOR U.S. WOMEN

The unemployment rate for U.S. women is higher than men for the first time since the recession began.

 

Preview 'This Is Congo'

(In-Depth Look At

Democratic Republic

of Congo’s Resource Wars)

 

by Tambay A. Obenson

 
January 22, 2013

 

Hmm... From director Daniel McCabe, comes a feature doc titled This Is Congo, which promises an in-depth look at the Democratic Republic of Congo’s resource wars, told from multiple perspectives of those directly involved and affected.

I'll always appreciate a comprehensive look at a complicated subject. So, despite the usual knee-jerk reactions I have when I hear about films that tackle "Africa's woes" (broadly speaking) directed by non-African (typically white) filmmakers, I'll wait until I actually see the film before offering any commentary on it.

I'm also encouraged by the filmmaker's approach as laid out about, and below.

I'll let the filmmaker speak for himself:

After nearly 3 years of filming and research, the film makers present an in-depth exploration of the fight for the DRC’s vast mineral wealth and natural resources. Battles are waged daily by those who will kill to plunder the country’s rare metals and other natural bounty, which ends up in the hands of western end users. Eastern Congo is an area where an estimated 1,500 people die each day as victims of war, where rape and child combatants have reached epidemic proportions. THIS IS CONGO will document one of the key aspects of violent conflict in the Congo; it’s resource wars. Showing the direct link between the continued violence in eastern Congo and the consumer products that are manufactured today. From raw materials to war, it will provide a looking glass view into the human costs of an unregulated international market for Congo’s valuable natural resources as seen through the eyes of our Congolese characters. It will also testify to the need for finding a realistic and enduring solution to over a decade of violent conflict. THIS IS CONGO will give viewers insight into the reality of this complex situation; informing them of the efforts being made to prevent this ongoing conflict. It will explore the causes of media blackouts and why the world’s largest assembled peacekeeping mission MONUSCO has been rendered useless. It will also show how no single initiative alone can change things, as well as what the components of a working solution may be. Explaining the delicate combination of transparency and demilitarization of the mining industry, coupled with massive government reform. Showing how rehabilitation of the shell-shocked population and their infrastructure is needed in addition to international support, will inform the viewer where help is needed most. Beginning with these resources in their raw form and following the extraction, transport and smuggling process through to the end-user’s cell phone, engagement ring or automobile, this film completes the circle in this violent chain by following the stories of individual characters that are affected along the way. Exposing the reality of the products most own today, and the relationship to the current situation in Eastern Congo.

Cinereach announced last week that it awarded over $500,000 in grants to 22 feature-length film projects that applied for support in 2012. More than 2,000 applications were submitted, from filmmakers based in upwards of 100 countries. This Is Congo is one of the 22 selected projects.

In addition to Cinereach's backing, the film also completed a $30,000 fundraising campaign earlier this month.

So it's moving along steadily and surely.

It's on my alerts list, so I'll be watching its progress from here on.

Watch a rather frenetic promo that was used during their fundraising campaign below:

 

Protesters carry signs with a picture of slain 22-year-old Oscar Grant III during a demonstration at the Fruitvale BART station in Oakland, Calif., Jan. 7, 2009. (Justin Sullivan/Getty)

‘Fruitvale,’

About the Shooting of

Oscar Grant,

Is Sundance’s Hottest Film

by Marlow Stern Jan 22, 2013 

 

Fruitvale reenacts the days leading up to the real-life New Year’s Day 2009 shooting of Oscar Grant, an unarmed 22-year-old, by a BART police officer in Oakland, Calif. Marlow Stern on the most buzzed-about project at Sundance.

 

In the early hours of New Year’s Day 2009, BART police officers responded to a call that a group of up to 12 people said to be under the influence were involved in a brawl on a crowded incoming train from the West Oakland station. When the train arrived at the Fruitvale station, officers removed Oscar Grant, a young African-American man, and several other men from the car, and lined them up seated against a wall.

Passengers aboard the stalled train captured the rest of the incident with cellphone cameras.

Grant, 22, who doesn’t appear to be resisting arrest, makes a motion to stand and is seen waving his hands in defeat. A BART officer then shoves him face-first onto the ground. A brief struggle ensues as several officers attempt to subdue a squirming Grant, his hands behind his back. Then, Johannes Mehserle, 27, a white, German-born officer hunching over Grant stands up, takes a half-step back, draws his gun, and fires a shot directly into Grant’s back. It looks like an execution.

 

The cellphone videos were uploaded to the Internet, where they spread like wildfire. One video, uploaded to Oakland-based KVTU Channel 2, was downloaded more than 500,000 times in the first four days.

Fruitvale, which made its premiere at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival, attempts to recreate the day in Grant’s life prior to his death. Opening with the disturbing cellphone footage of his killing, it then flashes back to the early morning hours, as Grant (Michael B. Jordan) is confronted by his girlfriend, Sophina (Melonie Diaz), over his rampant infidelity while he puffs away on a blunt. The couple shares a cute young daughter, Tatiana (Ariana Neal). Grant assures Sophina that he loves her “forever,” and that he won’t stray again.

Grant is a loving father to Tatiana and, despite his wandering eye, appears to care deeply for Sophina. Unfortunately, he’s just been fired from his job working the deli counter at the supermarket due to his punctuality problem and, since he’s an ex-con, feels he has no other moves besides going back to selling weed. But Grant, after remembering his time behind bars and the torment it inflicted on his mother, played by Oscar-winner Octavia Spencer (The Help), has a crisis of conscience, decides to throw away his bag of weed, and turn over a new leaf.

Later on, after celebrating his mother’s birthday, Sophina talks Grant into going out with her and their friends to San Francisco to celebrate New Year’s Eve.

Directed by 26-year-old first-time filmmaker Ryan Coogler, who also works at a juvenile-detention center in San Francisco, Fruitvale is a harrowing film that, despite its foregone conclusion, is never less than riveting. This is thanks in large part to Jordan’s performance as Oscar, transforming this blurry YouTube victim into a gregarious, dimpled, compassionate, and ultimately tragic case of a young man who seems forever stuck in his hopeless station in life. While the characterization of Oscar could have benefited from being a bit less sympathetic, since painting him as a wronged saint as opposed to a conflicted young man makes for a less challenging character, Jordan, who burst onto the screen in the superhero flick Chronicle, does a fine job carrying the entire film on his back.

A scene from ‘Fruitvale,’ starring Octavia Spencer and Michael B. Jordan, that premiered at Sundance 2013.

Fruitvale, which received rounds and rounds of applause—and quite a few tears—at its press screening, has been arguably the most buzzed-about film at this year’s Sundance, and incited a much-publicized bidding war amongst distributors. Powerhouse distributor Harvey Weinstein eventually had his Weinstein Co. acquire the film for a sum in the neighborhood of $2.5 million, so expect to be hearing more from this absorbing and haunting film during next year’s awards season.

And, after a national outcry and riots in the Oakland area, resulting in hundreds of thousands of dollars in property damage, the officer that fired the shot that killed Grant, Johannes Mehserle, was sentenced to two years in prison for involuntary manslaughter. He was sentenced on Nov. 5, 2010, and, after receiving double credit for time already served, was released on June 13, 2011. For their part in his death, BART eventually settled with Sophina, the mother of Grant’s daughter, for $1.5 million.

Each New Year’s Day, the friends and family of the late Oscar Grant gather at the Fruitvale BART station to remember a man who died far too young, but not in vain.

 

++++++++++++++++++++

Like The Daily Beast on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for updates all day long.

 

Marlow Stern is the assistant culture editor of Newsweek and The Daily Beast and holds a master’s degree from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. He has served in the editorial department of Blender magazine, and as an editor at Amplifier Magazine and Manhattan Movie Magazine.

 

For inquiries, please contact The Daily Beast at editorial@thedailybeast.com.

 

__________________________

 

Bidding War at Sundance

for Oscar Grant Film

 

by Jorge Rivas, Tuesday, January 22 2013

 

The Weinstein Company is wrapping up a deal to acquire “Fruitvale,” a drama based film based on Oscar Grant’s last days. Grant’s murder made national headlines in January 2009 after cell phone video surfaced showing a BART police officer shooting him while he was laying on the ground.

 

 

 

Video of the Week:

“Citizen King” Documents

The Last 5 Years of MLK’s Life

Written by American Experience

inSh

Citizen King is a two-hour documentary from acclaimed filmmakers Orlando Bagwell that explores the last five years in King’s life by drawing on the personal recollections and eyewitness accounts of friends, movement associates, journalists, law enforcement officers, and historians, to illuminate this little-known chapter in the story of America’s most important and influential moral leader.

Framed by the Lincoln Memorial speech and his assassination in Memphis, TN, Citizen King traces King’s effort to recast himself by embracing causes beyond the civil rights movement — to “transform and re-structure the whole of American society” as he put it. In this brief, five-year span, his decision would alienate many of his closest friends and further inflame his enemies. King took repeated leaps of faith as he cast aside political caution in favor of following a path that would make more difficult — and dangerous — his already challenging life.

As he began to speak out against the war in Vietnam and refashion himself as the leader of a crusade on behalf of the poor and dispossessed in America, King was accused of abandoning his mission. But for King, the change heralded a return to his roots as a preacher and provided a welcome relief from the public persona he had reluctantly taken on years before. He traveled to big cities and small towns not to speak to poor people, but to listen to the testimony of their lives, promising them that through him a nation would hear their voices.

In April 1968, in defiance of his closest advisors, King took a side trip from his Poor People’s Campaign and traveled to Memphis, TN, to show his support of a tense, unpredictable strike of garbage workers. He was determined to fulfill his pledge that the needs of poor and working-class people were the causes to which he must dedicate his life. His fateful decision brought about the collision of a nation’s hopes and fears, as King’s prophetic voice was abruptly silenced by an assassin’s bullet.

After spending two weeks traveling with King in 1967, the journalist David Halberstam observed, “Dr. King has decided to represent the Ghettos… he will work in them and speak for them. If King is to speak for them truly, then his voice must reflect theirs; it, too, must be alienated, and it is likely to be increasingly at odds with the rest of American society.”

Citizen King shows how, in his crusade for economic justice and an end to war, King found himself at odds not only with white American leadership, but also with many influential black leaders. He and his family were harassed daily with threats against his life and theirs. He questioned the values of his country and its preoccupation with material gain, and was distraught by the silence of a great many of his fellow Christian clergy. Yet through it all, he remained steadfast in his profound spiritual commitment to the human rights of all people and to the way of non-violence and creative peacemaking.

Courtesy of American Experience

 

World Hip Hop Women:

From The Sound Up

by Mixed by DJ LaJedi

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about

Hip Hop is a global phenomenon, and its feminine voice is exposing new frontiers of creativity. Rooted in the five elements, Hip Hop has grown to nurture socio-spiritual growth and community development worldwide. As further evidence of this, World Hip Hop Market, Nomadic Wax, and Detroit’s DJ LaJedi have joined forces with artists from over 15 nations to release World Hip Hop Women: From The Sound Up.

“We offer you an alternative, all feminine, all-star representative, all perspective, all nation, the global champion, call it the reckoning, all elements, all natural, it’s effortless.”
 - World Hip Hop Women hostess Eternia, taken from her track, “The BBQ Remix (ft. Tiye Phoenix & Jean Grae)”

For full artist/project information:
worldhiphopmarket.com/world-hip-hop-women-mixtape-artist-profiles/5771

Track Listing:
1. Eternia + MoSS – “The BBQ Remix (ft. Tiye Phoenix & Jean Grae)” (Canada/USA/prod: MoSS)

2. M.C. Melodee – “Cha Cha Cha 2011” (Netherlands/prod: Cookin Soul)

3. Masia One – “Warriors Tongue” (Canada/Singapore/prod: Che Vicious & Travis Von Cartier)

4. Mad Muasel – “Soloyo” (Spain/prod: JML)

5. Ana Tijoux + Invincible – “Sube” (Chile/USA/prod: Hordatoj & Ana Tijoux)

6. Raw-G AKA Gina Madrid – “Conexiones Subterraneas (ft. Aima the Dreamer) (Mexico/USA/prod:
Cubo)

7. Shadia Mansour – “Al Kufeyyeh 3Arabeyyeh” (UK/Palestine/prod: Sandhill & Johnny Juice)

8. Soultana – “Sawt Nssa (Women’s Voice)” (Morocco/prod: Itoube Music)

9. Sa-Roc – “Fine Line” (USA/prod: Sol Messiah)

10. Bella Shanti – “Saint or Sinner” (New Zealand/prod: Soul Chef)

11. El Gambina – “Sunny Days” (Korea/USA/prod: Jony Fraze)

12. Mana, Mia Lone, Triple Threat & Opal Rose – “Young Girl” (Iran/USA/prod: Blackheart)

13. The Foundation Of 5E: Taneesha, Insite The Riot, Jade, Nik Nak, Mahogany Jonz, DJ LaJedi - “The Foundation” (USA/prod: AEetech)

14. Black Bird – “H-Town Hustler” (Zimbabwe/S. Africa/Zambia/prod: Jusa Dementor)

15. Peridot (formerly Queen Herawin of The Juggaknots) – “So” (USA/prod: SINQUE)

16. Invincible + Waajeed – “Emergence” (USA/prod: Waajeed)

17. Las Krudas Cubensi – “No Me Dejaron” (Cuba/prod: Odaymara Cuesta, Olivia Prendes & DJ Mike)

18. Lithal Li – “Eye The Con” (South Africa/prod: Yves Adler)

19. Black Athena, Versy, Burni (Jitzvinger, Caco) – “Disputing Claims” (South Africa/prod: Shaheen Arifdien)

20. EmpresS*1 – “Rap Renaissance/Bent Belady” (Egypt/UK/prod: Silent Sym/Asteeka)

21. DJ Naida – “Done” (Zimbabwe/prod: Xndr)

credits

released 21 January 2013
Produced by World Hip Hop Market (worldhiphopmarket.com) and Nomadic Wax (nomadicwax.org)
Mixed by DJ LaJedi (facebook.com/lajedi)
Hosted by Eternia (facebook.com/eterniamusic)
Mastering by Dan Cantor, Notable Productions (notable.com)
Cover Design by Sintex (www.facebook.com/sintex.artist?fref=ts)
Back Cover by Ben Herson, Nomadic Wax

__________________________

 

World Hip Hop

Women Mixtape

– Artist Profiles

World Hip Hop Women: From the Sound Up breaks new ground by gathering top female MCs from around the world in one mix. Read the stories behind the artists below.

 

DJ LaJedi (Detroit, Michigan, USA)

Kristy (A.K.A. LaJedi) came into life within a Musical Mecca-Detroit, MI, USA.  The Iconic Motown, Soul Era, The MC5 and the Garage Rockers who emulated it, George Clinton and his Legacy of Funkateers summoning The Mothership, Iggy and The Stooges Punked it up, as the Spirit of Gospel and Blues pervaded it all.  Hip Hop roots were zapped with Electronic Tech and branded by Juan Atkins, Carl Craig, Jeff Mills,Underground Resistance – got gutter by Dj Assault and Mr. De’.  Amp Fiddler showed JayDee the MPC and Dilla changed her life again.

Kristy is a multi-instrumentalist.  Largely self taught about bass, keys, drums and electronics; she was formally educated in theory and improvisation (through metal flute) in grade school and University.  Diverse cultural influences while  attending the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor fueled Kristy’s interest in global sounds.  The accessibility of world music was a gift.  Her study of jazz and international music shaped the sound of her flute and creative works.

In 2001, Kristy traveled in Mexico, backpacking near the seas and Pyramids and pueblas.  Native guides and travel companions began to call her ‘La Jedi’: the Mexican translation of ‘Jedi’.

Sometime in 2003, LaJedi heard Slum Village, “FantasticVol 2”.  Within a year she was  back living in Detroit City, faithful to her heart’s lead; where is Jay Dee?  Sounds like The Place To Be.

In Detroit, LaJedi was led toward Mentors who introduced her to the community who nurtured the Sound that called her home, and became part of the 5 EGallery Family.  May 2009, 5E Gallery(Proprietor Sicari Ware/5ELA) with Piper Carter created “The Foundation”: a weekly celebration of Women in Hip Hop, and LaJedi came with records, needles and headphones.  LaJedi is a Foundation founding member, resident DJ and player in YIN, the original all-female house band.  In addition, she is an Official Starfleet Dj (5 ELA).

Through YIN LaJedi began collaborating with OneBeLo, A.K.A One Man Army of Binary Star and Founder of Subterraneous Records.  She has held down sound as his DJ and played flute as part of DoubleLo7 (an extension of YIN) at SXSW 2010, and as his DJ for SXSW 2012, A3C Music Festival, “Heroes in the Healing of a Nation” Tour with Zion I and Grouch, The Work Ethic Tour 2012, and in most states of the USA.  LaJedi is active in One Be Lo’s Laborhood Campaign and is featured on his L.A.B.O.R. Album.

Now, LaJedi is promoting The Sound of Her City through the “DETRIOTSONICLYZM!!!” Mixtape Series, and raising global awareness of Hip Hop Culture through her RE:EVOLOVE! PEACE IS WITHIN.” mixes.  Her work serves The Evolution of Human Consciousness and Community Through Musical Vibration.

Funk with LaJedi because She Loves and Lives Music-like You. Dance Your Divinity!  Bump the Bottom!  Now and Forever!  PEACE.

email: unlimitzzzzz@gmail.com
mixcloud.com/lajedi 
soundcloud.com/lajedi 
facebook.com/lajedi 
twitter.com/lajedi

 

Eternia (Toronto, Canada)

Two time Juno-nominated and widely considered one of Canada’s foremost lyricists, Eterniacontinues to knock down barriers & trail-blaze across the globe for Canadian Hip Hop music.

Eternia has toured extensively in Canada, the United States, Mexico, Australia, & Europe; those that are lucky enough to catch her on stage credit her as one of the best live performers they have witnessed. She has been billed with superstars such as Nas, Damian Marley, Wu-tang Clan, Missy, Snoop Dogg, Mos Def & Talib Kweli, Bun B, Pete Rock & CL Smooth, EPMD, KRS One, Common, Blackthought, Black Sheep, Immortal Technique, MC Lyte, Rah Digga, Bahamadia, Roxanne Shante, Ras Kass, Ice-T, Jay Electronica, & many more.

In 2010, Eternia released her 5th full-length recording on Fat Beats Records with “DJ Premier affiliatedCanadian super-producer MoSS” (NOW Magazine). “AT LAST” was met with critical acclaim, features guest appearances by some of Hip Hop’s elite – Ras Kass, Rah Digga, Lady of Rage, Jean Grae, Tiye Phoenix, Joell Ortiz, Termanology, Reef the Lost Cauze & more – and was named one of the Top 25 Albums of 2010 by the legendary DJ Premier.

From The Source Magazine to Hot 97, from the NY Daily News to NPR, from Toronto to Berlin, from NXNW to SXSW, from the Juno Awards to Paid Dues to the Polaris Prize: 2011 is undeniably the year of Eternia… AT LAST.

CONTACT: Graig Stanton – Phone: 646-660-5764
E-Mail: dj.sav.one@gmail.com 
therealeternia.tumblr.com 
facebook.com/eterniamusic
twitter.com/therealEternia

 

MC Melodee (Amsterdam, Netherlands)

 MC Melodee has been active in the music industry for over 14 years. Next to being writer, performer and leader of her band La Melodia with whom she performed all over the globe, she leads a Peer Education Project in her home base Amsterdam.

MC Melodee, whom you might have met in the past while working at Fatbeats record store and Kindred Spirits Records Amsterdam, can be found MC-ing in Holland’s club circuit in venues like Bitterzoet, Paradiso and Jimmy Woo or on Dutch festivals including North Sea Jazz festival, Appelsap, Mysteryland, Latin Village and Valtifest amongst others. Or you might hear her dropping by occasionally on Future Vintage Radio, a weekly radio show that she weekly hosted up till 2010 on Holland’s radio program ’3 voor 12′ on 3FM radio.

Together with DJ/Producer I.N.T., MC Melodee is the co-founder of “La Melodia”. This hip hop duo brings you witty wordplay combined with production that is rich in detail. Not the average hip hop you may expect, as they cross borders and go beyond. Together this crew represents the city of Amsterdam, where they settled by way of Eindhoven about 10 years ago. What started with the independent release of the single Dough/For You on 12” vinyl in 2004, lead to a European tour with Stonesthrow’s artists Ohno, Percee P, Wildchild, Roc c and DJ Romes in 2005, a record deal with Japanese label Handcuts Records/Universal Japan in 2006, the release of their debut record “Vibing High” in the Benelux on PIAS in 2007, several frequently showed music videos on Dutch TV with the help of MTV/TMF, a tour with their own live band in 2008 and lots of performances worldwide on festivals including North Sea Jazz, Sonar, Popkomm, Soul Nation and Capetown jazz. A performance at New York’s Open at Santo’s, hosted by Rapper/Producer/DJ Q-tip and DJ/Producer Rich Medina also leads to performances on NYC’s CMJ (Music Marathon) and Music, Film & Interactive Conference South by SouthWest in Austin, Texas. In 2010 it even results in a new 7 inch vinyl release on record label ‘Record Breaking Music’ called “Chemistry b/w Working on it“. This is followed by the release of their most recent album “Electronic Love” on La Melodia Records. La Melodia brings you soulful hip hop with a hint of electric funk and raw yet hypnotic beats that will keep your head nodding from start to finish.

In 2009 MC Melodee is selected by the European Music Office to be a part of the ambitious three-year European project Diversidad www.diversidad-experience.com. Dedicated to bring together urban cultures around Europe’s Urban scene, Diversidad selects 20 rappers, beatmakers and DJ’s from around Europe to become the framework of the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue. This collaboration leads to several featuring by MC Melodee on the 2010 album “The Experience” and to the participation of a European tour in 2011.

During this tour Mc Melodee meets talented production team Cookin’ Soul from Spain. Heads bop and a click is made instantly. Inspiration flows and songs are made, leading to the successful release of “ Check Out Melodee” in July 2011 and “ Cha Cha Cha” fall 2011.

With her fan base growing, MC Melodee continues to tour around the world, both national and internationally. Expect more from this gifted female MC with the raspy voice and sick flow as she will continue to pursue innovative and creative ways to craft and release her music…

www.mcmelodee.com
www.lamelodia.com
www.facebook.com/McMelodee
twitter.com/MCMelodee

 

Masia One (Singapore/Toronto, Canada)

Born in Singapore, Masia One became an early fan of Hip Hop after stumbling upon a bootleg copy of a Public Enemyʼs album. Fast-forward to 2011 with two albums, four videos, international bookings and countless media appearances, this Singapore-Canadian girl the future of international urban sound.

Masia One is now positioned to take on the world, completing her latest album with Los Angeles based, Grammy award winning producer Che Vicious has crafted an album that features Masiaʼs remarkable flow over highly infectious hiphop, dance and dancehall rhythms. As Dr. Dreʼs right handman, Che has worked with everyone from Lauryn Hill, Jay Z and Eminem. Album features include Pharrell, The Game, Talib Kweli, RZA and Graph Nobel. This Singapore- Canadian girl will soon become a household name for urban music internationally.

info@masiaone.com 
www.masiaone.com
twitter.com/masiaone

 

 

 

Mad Muasel (Bilbao, Spain)

In 2009, Mad Muasel began her career as sing-jay with Novato, and from that combination was born “Bumclap Teachers,” a street album – one of the most innovative for dancehall in Spain.

Mad Muasel began her solo carer in 2010, publishing “Ohlala”, a fresh blow to the national dancehall scene, but this time Mad Muasel shows great evolution, presenting a style much more rough and dark at times, leaving aside the melodies, using much less of the poetry that characterizes it, with lyrics that move between the more strictly dancehall dancing, partying, hedonism, social criticism and the message, always with that acid and sincere tone that can only come from the mouth of Mad Muasel .

This artist has shared the stage with artists as the likes of Morodo, Mala Rodriguez, Ana Tijoux, Swan Fyahbwoy, Little Pepe, Shabu One Shant, Alberto Gambino … and with international artists such as Sizzla, Daddy Freddy, Alborosie, Dj Premier, Capleton, and Dub Inc.

She has participated in festivals such as Dancehall Xplosion 2009 (Burgos), Live Sound Zion 2009(Bilbao), Ganja Time2010 (Madrid), and Viña Rock 2010 (Albacete).

Along with Novato, Big Sound Boy, DPTA sound, Manny Ledesma , Rakka D, Mad Muasel’s sounds belong to the DirtyDansall Crew, a group of select Bilbao singers and cultural support designed to put Bilbao on the map of the dancehall in Spain.

myspace.com/madmuasel
facebook.com/madmuasel
twitter.com/madmuasel
youtube.com/user/MadMuaselTV/videos

 

Ana Tijoux (Chile)

 Ana Tijoux (also known as Anita Tijoux, born Anamaría Merino Tijoux on June 12, 1977 in Lille, France) is a Chilean rapper and singer, who became famous in the late 90’s as a female MC of hip-hop band Makiza and later as a solo artist.

In the 1990’s Anita formed a hip-hop band Los Gemelos (The Twins) with a fellow rapper Zaturno (later became famous as a member of Tiro de Gracia). In 1997 she gained first major attention after singing in a Los Tetas’ hit single “La Medicina”. Later she joined DJ Squat, Cenzi and Seo2, and Makiza was formed.

After Makiza went on hiatus in 2001, Anita returned to France and took a break from music until 2004. After coming back to Chile in 2004 she became singing with the funk/acid jazz band Aluzinati, and later in 2005 she reformed Makiza with Seo2 and two new members and released the band’s final album to date, Casino Royale.

In 2007, Anita appeared on Julieta Venegas’ hit single, “Eres Para Mí” and finally released her solo debut, Kaos. Thanks to the first single, “Despabílate”, Anita was nominated for the Latin version of the MTV Video Music Awards 2007 under the categories Best New Artist and Best Urban Artist.

In October 2009, Tijoux released her second solo album, titled 1977 after the year she was born. The album was a return to her rap roots, an homage to the “golden age of hip-hop”; it was largely auto-biographical, exploring mature themes from her own life, from the death of a close friend to having a creative crises, from friendship to bad luck, amongst others. It was simple and straight to the point, as emphasized by her leaving behind a lot of the singing she had been doing of late in other more pop collaborations, and concentrating on rap, both in Spanish and French. After years of sharing the spotlight with her group, collaborating with other artists, and trying to find her way as a solo artist, she has finally arrived in her own right—a raw, direct, and mature MC.

Recorded between May and September 2009, the new album was produced by Hordatoj, Foex y Tee, of the label Potoco Discos, together with Habitación del Pánico. Guests on the record include the saxophonist Agustín Moya with whom she worked with in Aluzinati, Andrés Celis, Solo Di Medina, Bubaseta, Stailok from the group Movimiento Original, DJ Dacel, Quique Neira from Godwana, Cómo Asesinar A Felipes, and the Detroit-based MC Invincible, whom she met over MySpace and did a virtual collaboration for the song “Sube”.

The album and its first single 1977 were an immediate hit in the underground rap circles of Chile, where she was welcomed back after a bit of a stray. The record was amongst the top 10 of 2009 for the blog [worldhiphopmarket.com], and it was soon picked up by the U.S.-based Latin Alternative label Nacional Records, who released it in April 2010. She was invited to attend the prestigious South By South West Music Festival in Austin, Texas, in March 2010, and from there went on to her first ever North American tour. The song 1977 is featured in FIFA 11 soundtrack, and it also appears in episode five of the fourth season of Breaking Bad.

In 2011 Ana released her new solo album, La Bala. The album deals with many political and social issues in Chile, and the lead single, “Shock”, was inspired by the strikes of the Chilean students which took part in 2011.

www.youtube.com/anatijoux
www.facebook.com/anitatijoux
twitter.com/anatijoux

Press Contact: Chile: prensa@evolucionproducciones.cl
USA: Publicist Mitzye Ramos mitzye.ramos@cookman.com

 

Raw-G A.K.A. Gina Madrid (Guadalajara, Mexico/Oakland, California, USA)

Blending Hip Hop culture with a revolutionary state of mind,Raw G is notorious for passionate flow and deep poetry. Born and raised in GDL City, Mexico, Raw G was dealt a great deal of struggle at a young age. After losing her father, she began expressing her feelings of pain through writing, and began identifying to such artists like KRS-One, 2Pac and the Fugees, relating to the harsh reality depicted in their music.

In 1999 she moved to Oakland, California to start a new life as a mother. She began learning English by translating rap songs. In the last few years, Raw G has stepped her music career up to the top of the list of up and coming artists from the bay area. She has performed with artists such as KRS-One, Immortal Technique, Dead Prez, Mobb Deep, Blackalicious, Ghostface Killah, Ozomatli, Ana Tijoux, Mala Rodrigues and many more.

She is currently participating in community events while recording a studio album which will be released in 2012

raw-g.com/index.html
www.facebook.com/pages/Raw- G/175849423289
twitter.com/rawwg

 

Aima The Dreamer (Bay Area, California, USA)

For those in the know, Aima the Dreamer has been rockin’ crowds for years as a vocalist and MC with groups such as J-Boogie’s Dubtronic Science, The Mamaz, Goddess Alchemy Project and Jazz Mafia’s Brass, Bows and Beats Hip-Hop Symphony. All of this in addition to her own solo project has given her a variety of outlets with which to harness her energy as not only a talented MC and vocalist, but also as a strong, feminine woman who easily holds her own amongst a male-dominated industry.

As a freestyle rapper, poet, singer and versatile MC, Aima the Dreamer brings her array of talents and influences to the masses by way of her mixtape, released August 3rd, 2010. In addition to the mighty J-Boogie, the mixtape features a who’s who of underground and independent artists including Lyrics Born, Bassnectar, Crown City Rockers, DJ Vadim, Bunny Mack, Sola Rosa, Brass Mafia and many others.

The mixtape, simply titled, ‘AIMA THE DREAMER MIXTAPE featuring J-BOOGIE’ takes the listener on a musical roller coaster with vibes ranging from straight up Hip-Hop and Rap to Funky Soul and Electronica-infused R & B.

This reflects not only Aima the Dreamer’s versatility as an artist, but also as an individual. “I would like to think that I can be sexy, intelligent, cultured, and sassy without compromising any of those aspects,” she says.

Spending her childhood moving across the United States from the Mid West of Detroit and Chicago towards the West Coast via Salt Lake City and Los Angeles, Aima finally found solid roots in Hawaii at the age of 9, where she lived for the next 10 years until planting herself firmly into the Bay Area, where she has resided ever since.

A troubled childhood led her to write poetry as a way of coping with the stresses of life. This skill would serve her well as she began going to open mics at the age of 16 as a spoken word artist and later finding her calling as an emcee in the Bay Area by way of meeting her other half of The Mamaz, Persia. “She really took me under her wing and transitioned me from spoken word to emcee”.

Nearly 10 years later Aima has taken her lifetime of experiences and lessons learned and brought them together in a perfectly blended mix of music that reflects a woman who is independent, sexy, strong, spiritual and intelligent.

Coupled with her exquisite rhymes and flows, Aima the Dreamer’s mixtape gives the music world a taste of an artist who knows what she wants. With plans for a full-length album in the works, there’s no doubt she will get it.

Inspired by her family and friends, Aima cites the Bay Area as one of the biggest influences in her music; “I want to make music for all ages and especially for the young girls and women out there. I am inspired by all the great music that comes out of the Bay Area on a daily. It is truly a blessing to be surrounded by such open mindedness, revolutionary ideas, and beautifully talented people.”

aimathedreamer.com

 

Shadia Mansour (UK/ Palestine)

She is as authentic as the heavily-embroidered thawb she wears whilst performing live… British Born Palestinian Shadia Mansour, has independently become one of the leading female Arabian MC’s worldwide. Her natural, flawless ability to switch between rapping and singing is rapidly becoming a cultural phenomenon.

Shadia delivers her taunting voice, both mournful and mesmerizing, over Arabic Phrases of loss, longing, struggle and life. Shadia Mansour started singing at the tender age of 5 years old by appearing on various Arabic, British, American TV and radio shows. She is currently working on her highly anticipated album (yet to be titled) featuring many of the top producers of the industry. Shadia has opened up for Busta Rhymes and Mobb Deep at the Palladium Club in New Rochelle, NY. Last summer Shadia toured US and received a tremendous welcome in Chicago, Milwaukee and San Francisco. Shadia also took part in the Annual Pre Black August Concert in NYC with DJ Johnny Juice (Public Enemy) alongside her giving her performance an authentic New York touch.

In May of this 2011, Shadia was invited to take part in ‘Symphony Arabica’ and performed in a 4 city tour (all of which – sold out) with an orchestra of 200 people and a children’s choir of 50. Shadia opened this years Annual Black August Benefit for Political Prisoners alongside major hip hop legends such as Q-Tip, EPMD, Bilal, Blackmoon, Smif N Wessun and Immortal Technique. Shadia also headlined the Arab World Fest in Milwaukee which was a huge success. Shadia Mansour is also featured in the AAlikes documentary coming out this month titled “The Ballot or the Bullet”.

facebook.com/pages/Shadia-Mansour/35106008298
twitter.com/ShadiaMansour

 

Soultana (Morocco)

Youssra, aka Soultana, Moroccan rap pioneer, strict, correct, serious, and founding member of the pioneering female group of “Tigress Flow ‘. Soultana has emerged over the years as one of the must-see female rap artists. She took her first steps in rap at the age of 14.

For her place as a charismatic figure of Moroccan hip-hop, she is sought for many projects, compilations (International Music Made By Dj Rawcut New York), Mixtapes (By Kolna Mgharba Miradisc France), over 30 concerts in Morocco and abroad (Oslo World Music Festival, Musica De Spani San Sebastian). In 2003, accompanied by 9 MC’s, Soultana released the All Star Casablanca.

Soultana was in fact recognized by the readers of Rap and Hip Hop Moroccans as one of the best rappers in the country whenever she released anything solo or with her band Tigress Flow, first prize winners at Phew Bled and also from Generations Magazine 2008, confirms her talent and coastal popularity. Strong off this success, Soultana has taken her artistic career alone – also thanks to God and thanks to her parents – to became the first rapper Rap Morocco radio host on the Internet in 2005. She is involved in projects such as concerts and as an organizer and judge of MC competitions as a judge, which ranks as another first among female MC’s.

After the maxi-single with “Mazal”, singles, and a solo feature with Moroccan artist Mister Hatim, Soultana recorded her first album talking about the problems of her generation and issues such as poverty and violence, and above all convey messages regarding young people’s lives, by binding to all the problems of Moroccan women.

In 2011, where she had an official invitation from the Embassy of the United States and U.S. Ambassador to Morocco to visit the United States and to lecture about Moroccan rap, and for being the guest of the festival Nomads New York, and interviews with top TV’s and Radio outlets such as MTV.

original-soultana.skyrock.com
facebook.com/SoultanaOfficialFanPage

 

Sa-Roc (Atlanta, Georgia, USA)

saroc is an emcee hailing from chocolate city(d.c.). her lyrics and sound convey her unique approach to the rap game. she dares to be different, speaking truth, not bs rhetoric. her style is intergalactic, flow is otherworldy. she has traveled extensively, collecting these experiences as inspiration for her music. she is undoubtedly and unapologetically a REAL MC.

I am the earth and water, I am the full moon. I am the first mother, the universal womb. They call me sacred lotus wisdom of the kind supreme. The mothership that brought the first terrestrial being. I come from distant planets and now I have returned. I am the great goddess come to you in human form. Mysterious by nature, I hold my magic wand, cast my cowrie shells and read them in the dirt I stand on. My power is electric, you feel it in my gaze. I will live on when others perish in the end of days. They call it immortal, I move thru space portals. My body turns to dust I trade it for a better model. I am the shrine keeper, civilization teacher, I am the sun’s reflection and the divine receiver. I birthed the last giants, now called the juggernauts,when I designed the trees I made the roots from my natty locs. I am the fertile ground, and I am heaven’s skies. I’m made of dark matter and full of pure light. I’m just a tiny proton inside the smallest atom. I am a black hole pulling stars inside my chasm. You think u know me but my name eludes u well. I am your consciousness and I’m ur dream spell. I am but all things, yet I am none at all. Enemies fear me but mostly they just respect and awe.

sarocthemc.com
sarocthewiz.blogspot.com
facebook.com/pages/Sa-Roc/346940765533
twitter.com/sarocthemc

 

Bella Shanti (Auckland, New Zealand)

(by Teremoana Rapley, of Upper Hutt Posse and first female rapper in New Zealand)

I must have met her when she was around 15 in the late 90’s.

This was a time of change for many people from our generation.

A group of Auckland rappers and deejays gathered at my home on the regular.  Many musicians stopped in over the years and our home became lovingly also known as MRHQ (Maori Revolutionary Headquarters).

She was sometimes there at our MRHQ family gatherings with her Mum and Step-Dad.  She was a quiet, softly spoken girl.  She usually had her long hair down, hiding half of her face and only spoke when she had something that needed to be heard.

Skip forward a decade or so, to March 2011. My husband and I catch her at the Kings Arms Tavern in Auckland, NZ helping to raise funds for the Mana Maoli Collective based in Hawaii. Homegirl is onstage spitting freestyle with ease and connection.  I am smiling from ear to ear.  Later that year, a crew she is part of, Shine Forum, drop their EP at a local club.  At the launch they have a full-band set up and they ooze that same purity and clarity of mind over beats our generation had when we all got our ish together for a minute. Shine Forum were representing Kaupapa Driven Rhymes Uplifted aka KDRU.

So it was to no surprise that at 4am after a legendary Upper Hutt Posse gig in Auckland City, NZ.  This emcee cruises into the bar after finishing up playing at another spot.  I am genuinely happy to see her just so I can say to her, thank you.  My heart was uplifted by the two times I had seen her perform.  Her long hair may still cover half of her face but she still only speaks when she has something that needs to be heard.

As far back as she can remember she has always lived between the big city hustle of Auckland and the golden sand coastline of the Bay of Plenty.  She would spend summer holidays with her grandmother who lived by the ocean, and was also the local Public Health Nurse servicing areas such as Waimana, Ruatoki and Taneatua. She would also make frequent visits with her Step-Father to his papa kāinga, Te Urewera.  This young girl of Chinese and European descent was immersed in two worlds.  The western world and the world of Ngai Tūhoe.

facebook.com/bella.shanti.3
soundcloud.com/bellashanti
myspace.com/shineforum

 

El Gambina (Korea/USA)

Rapping proved a spontaneous endeavor for El Gambina, whose foray into penning hip hop rhymes began in high school. She joined Organic Thoughts; a NJ based hip-hop crew, in 2000 and released “The Purest Form” under Blaze the World Entertainment. She doesn’t fit the typical urban MC image and so it’s not unusual for her to arrive at a studio for a recording session, only to get mistaken for the producer’s girlfriend. El Gambina’s lyrics encourage people to embrace their individuality and she hopes that her music will inspire others to do what they love. She’s worked with artists such as DJ Honda, Denizen Kane, Large Professor, Prince Po, Illmind, and more. Look out for possible solo projects in the future.

“SunnyDays” video via YouTube
Live performance of “SunnyDays” via Youtube
myspace.com/elgambina

 

 

Mana, Mia Lone, Triple Threat, Opal Rose – aka Lipstick Revolt (Iran/Washington DC, USA)

Mission

To create an understanding and love between all people; women and men, at the same time respecting the universe.

Description

By becoming a member of Lipstick Revolt you get to come to exclusive membership of various events, concerts, workshops, etc.

General Information

A positive philosophy that is for all honorable causes and will make the community better through empowering the women who have had their voices shut down.

Enghelabeh Mateek (Lipstick Revolt) means to heal the human soul. This movement highlights outstanding women who do a lot for our community worldwide.  Lipstick Revolt recognizes women who recognize their importance.  Lipstick Revolt is a concept that celebrates women, established in 2011, hit rocky roads in 2012, but will prosper in its future… that is a promise.

lipstickrevolt.com
lipstickrevolt.bandcamp.com
facebook.com/pages/Lipstick- Revolt/162422033810613
twitter.com/LipstickRevolt
thebeeshinethebeeshine.com/what-inspires-mana-of-lipstick-revolt

 

The Foundation of 5E Gallery (Detroit, Michigan, USA)

The social impact of Hip Hop is a cultural revolution which crosses borders, inspires ideas & influences behaviors. Encouraging freedom of expression, healthy competition, independent thought, and positive self-identity, this weekly event as a movement focuses on redefining the vital role of Women in Hip Hop.

Our mission is to educate and empower the community through sharing our love of the arts, while inspiring change and growth. This evening is dedicated to celebrating, supporting, and creating empowering images of Women through Performance, Film, Videos, Internet and other forms of media: Open Mic, Freestyle Cipher, Graffiti, B-Girls, showcases, special guests, & other surprises. We call it The Foundation because we are dedicated to preserving the culture of Real Hip Hop and also because Women are the Foundation of the Universe!

Every Tuesday, the Foundation of 5E Gallery hosts an open hip hop event, including open mic time. Co-Founded by Piper Carter & Legendary Detroit Emcees Invincible & Miz Korona. Hosted by Nikki Nak & Mahogany Jones, featuring DJ’s Mel Wonder & La Jedi. Once a month they have an all female hip hop band YIN, whose members were formerly in Detroit rock band Lola Valley. ALL people are welcome at the open mic. Past special guests include Invincible, Miz Korona, Niambi, Monica Blaire, Mz Jonz, Skim, D.S. Sense, T Miller, Jessica Care Moore, Mae Day, Finale, 14KT, Mu, DJ Graffiti Buff 1, Big A, Zhao-Ski, FES, Masood, Mudd, Kiko & sooooo much more!

Consistent supporters include the likes of DJ Head (Eminem), DJ Dez (Slum Village), DJ Sicari (5 Ela), DJ Soko, Sintex (Detroit’s best graff writer), & much much more.

Contact Email: 5egallery@gmail.com
5egallery.org/the-foundation-celebrating-women-in- hip-hop/ http://www.facebook. com/groups/theFoundation5e
mixcloud.com/lajedi
ourstage.com/epk/mahoganyjones
facebook.com/nikki.kopytek
reverbnation.com/insitetheriot
jadelathan.bandcamp.com

 

Black Bird (Harare, Zimbabwe)

Black Bird was born in Zimbabwe to a South African father and Zambian mother who were living in exile during the apartheid era. The 28 year old female rapper was drawn to hip-hop at an early age and from as early as the age of 9, she was dubbing the cassettes and music videos of her favorite rappers. A lot of her influence came from the female emcees who were coming out of the US during the early 90s and the music of MC Lyte, Queen Latifah, Da Brat and Left Eye helped Black Bird shape her musical style. After following a career in film and TV production for several years, she returned to her first love and in 2009 she began her full time career as a professional hip-hop artist. She released her debut album “Tha Rappetizer” in 2010, followed by her own mixtape “Mixtape Memoirs” in 2011. Over the past 2 years she has made several mixtape appearances gaining popularity in Zimbabwean newspapers, websites and on the national youth radio station, Power FM. Black Bird raps primarily in English, but she also drops bars in Shona, Zulu, and Sotho. A writer and hip hop activist, Black Birds music and writing is often heavy with social and political consciousness. Black Bird made history in April 2010 by being the first female rapper to ever be invited to perform at Harare International Festival of Arts (H.I.F.A).

Black Bird has also initiated a project called Hustle 4Tha Horn and her single “Prayer for Somalia”, is the first song in a compilation which is being produced by various artists to raise funds for aid relief in the Horn of Africa. Black Bird’s ‘social-rap’ see’s disadvantaged children and single mother’s being given prominence as she feels these are two marginalized groups which need more acceptance and support from society.

iamblackbird.wordpress.com
facebook.com/pages/Black-Bird-The-Rap-Chick/135153986523476
twitter.com/ThaBlackBird
Hustle For The Horn/ Prayer for Somalia

 

Peridot (formerly Queen Herawin) (USA)

Born and raised in the Bronx, the sibling-centric Juggaknots first gained underground renown for their appearances on Columbia University’s Stretch Armstrong & Bobbito radio program. When a record deal with Elektra went south, Bobbito and Garcia issued their Clear Blues Skies vinyl-only EP on his Fondle ‘Em label in 1996. Like almost all of the releases on the label, the record was out of print before most people got a chance to hear what all the fuss was about. Brothers Buddy Slim (Kevin Smith), who acts as the group’s main producer, sometimes under the name Fever the Kid, and Breezly Brewin’ (Paul Smith), whose steady, effortless-sounding flow won him acclaim, though he never really found much fame, kept busy with outside projects. A Juggaknots collaboration with Company Flow and J-Treds appeared in 1998 under the name Indelible MC’s and was featured on the Lyricist Lounge Vol. 1 Disc1 comp. The following year, Breezly Brewin’ worked with Prince Paul on his Prince Among Thieves album. Clear Blue Skies was reissued on CD — along with ten new songs and a remixed version of the title track — in 2003 by Third Earth Music, and the duo added a third member, sister Queen Herawin (Peridot Smith), who had been too young to participate before. A decade after their debut EP was released, their follow-up, Use Your Confusion, featuring beats from both brothers as well as Stones Throw’s Oh No, among others, and recorded while the three continued their day jobs as teachers in New York City public schools, came out on Amalgam Entertainment.

 

 

 

Invincible (Detroit, Michigan, USA)

It is truly rare to find an artist like Invincible. Her spitfire wordplay has received acclaim from fans all across the world, while her active involvement in progressive social change has taken her music beyond entertainment toward actualizing the change she wishes to see. As a co-founder of EMERGENCE Media, she released her debut albumShapeShifters (2008) and produced award winning videos likeThe Revival (2009) about women in hip-hop and Locusts (2008) exploring displacement and gentrification in Detroit. She has performed on stages and in clubs, community centers, campuses, pride celebrations, and festivals around the world for over a decade, both as a solo artist, and featured as part of the all female Hip-Hop collective ANOMOLIES. She teamed up with longtime producer Waajeed in 2010 to release a limited edition 7″ single “Detroit Summer/Emergence.” Invincible is a fellow of Kresge Arts in Detroit, and the Ellen Stone Belic Institute for Women and Gender in the Arts and Media.

In addition to her work as a performing artists, for the last decade Invincible has worked with Detroit Summer, a multi-racial, inter-generational collective in Detroit that is transforming communities through youth facilitative leadership, creativity and collective action. She is also the co-coordinator of the Detroit Future Youth network to support social justice and media-based youth projects throughout the city.

Invincible is currently working with renown producer Waajeed (Bling47) and visual artist Wesley Taylor for her upcoming project Complex Movements, an interactive hip-hop performance exploring the relationship between complex sciences and social justice movements.

 

emergencemedia.org
facebook. com/invinciblemergence
twitter.com/invincibleDET
emergencemedia.org/epkv2

 

 

Las Krudas Cubensi (Cuba)

Odaymara Cuesta and Olivia Prendes are Cuban Hip Hop MCs, Independent Musicians, Poets, Theater Performers representing Womyn, Immigrants, Queer and People of Color Action as a Central Part of World Change. They choose the art as a weapon to fight for rights, for balance, for justice, against oppression. They were both born and raised in Cuba and began in the ”Artivism” early in their lives.

In 1996, they founded the first vegan and queer activist arts group in Havana, Cuba, called Cubensi. By 1999, they had chosen hip hop music as their preferred form of expression, recording their first album, Cubensi Hip Hop, in 2003.

In 2006, they relocated to Austin, Texas. They have performing, recording, giving workshops, educating and touring in The Caribbean, North, Central and South America. They bring Cubensi Hip Hop, Dance Hall, Cumbia, Old School, Mixtapes and New Strongly Beautiful Beats from all around the World with their Amazing Afro Caribbean Rebel Lyrics & Voices to empower the community.

Contact Information: laskrudas@gmail.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Krudas- Cubensi/329774232065
http://myspace.com/3krudas
http://krudascubensi.blogspot.com/2012/07/krudas-cubensi-bio-english.html

Lithal Li (South Africa)

Music music music – This is where it all started.

I can eagerly and with conviction say that I love singing, emceeing, playing my bass – and writing all sorts of new material – all day, everyday…there’s something great and rewarding about creating something where there was nothing before…..

Having worked with many various musicians, artists, singers, emcess, producers and bands over the past deacde of being actively invovled in the South african music scene, the potential for growth in light and melody is ever present.

The root of this musical oasis rests in the constant willingness to grow in collaboration and genuine harmony with my fellow musicians – from all across this globe.

I can clearly state that the goal of my music is in bringing life to concepts and music to many. There is only one true source that leads me forward: its the shared passion and harnessed love for creating whilst ever enjoying the musical elements in this life – simultaneously using all these God-given talents to uplift the works of our maker.

When asked to sum up Lithal – I don’t quite know where to start. All I know is that my aim is to know more…daily… there is so much ….and I am still exploring and learning as I go along….never will I reach the end of this abyss….too deeply it runs, too deeply it flows…..

Kirin-like… this draconic warrior lioness be blazing fiercely ferocious… So, bring it! The scepticism only fuels my fire!

reverbnation.com/lithalli
soundcloud.com/lithal-li
facebook.com/pages/Lithal- Li/115254658495533
ja.twitter.com/Lithal

 

 

Black Athena, Versy, Burni, (Jitzvinger, Caco) (South Africa)

Elise Fernandez, aka Black Athena, has started an initiative called WHIPHOP (Women in Hip Hop). Her involvement in hip hop started when she left home at the age of 17 to pursue a career in singing in Johannesburg. There she met my first crew and Hip Hop grasped her attention. At the time, she did not know any female MCs in Johannesburg.

Now relocated to Cape Town, Fernandez leads a crew of mainly Africaans-speaking MCs, making their own avenues for recording and performance, without any industry help.

“As a female emcee I am able to compete with maleemcees that are on the highest level of rap and performance,” says Fernandez. “However, as a woman and mother, I also represent women and children. The mic is a powerful thing. The tongue is a powerful thing. With our words, knowledge and wisdom we can create change. We can address nation building issues through music that is not possible through other genres.”

http://soundcloud.com/black-athena-fernandez/disputing-claims
http://www.facebook.com/elise.b.fernandez

 

 

EmpresS*1  (Egypt/UK)

“Holding the flag for women who are generally under-represented in the arts and cultural world, specifically in the Hip-Hop scene. THE ‘First Female Egyptian Rapper’ has the guts to address those MAJOR issues such as Freedom of Speech, Women’s Rights etc and manages to be extremely respected for that, all over the Egyptian media, because her music talks about Love, Justice, Equality, Freedom, Respect, Unity, Dual Identity, Oppression, Peace, Female Independence…”  Afrolution.com, 2011

Princess Emmanuelle a.k.a. EmpresS *1 (الامبراطورة الاولي) has shared stages and performed alongside: Publlic Enemy, Keith Murray, The Wailers (Bob Marley) (UK), Al Griffiths (The Gladiators) (Brazil), O Rappa (Brazil), Racionais MC’s (Brazil), Jocelyn Brown (UK), Suheir Hammad (US) and Benjamin Zephaniah (UK).

You may have seen her recently on ESC, or Ch 2 Egyptian, a3la “Sabah el Kher ya Misr” (Good Morning Egypt), or on BBC, BEN TV, ITV, Nile TV, OTV, the Cinema or Independent film Festival.

Maybe you have read about her in “The Voice”, “New Nation”, “Kensington and Chelsea Times”, “On Route”, ”Spirit”, “Community Times”, “Egypt Today”, “Wash Washa”; seen her pages on the net, maybe heard her on ‘So3t el Arab’, ‘Genesis FM’, ‘Life FM’, ‘Rhythm’, ‘Resonance’, ‘Radio Crazy’, ‘So3t el Arab’ etc. or someone told you of her Royal Highness!

One thing’s for sure, she is a talented, true and heart-felt artist that has constantly promoted herself Independently, and that is evident in the warm support of her fans across the Globe, and she NEVER forgets home.

empress1egypt.wordpress.com
reverbnation.com/EmpresS1 
facebook.com/EmpresS1Egypt
twitter.com/EmpresS1Egypt

 

DJ Naida (Harare, Zimbabwe)

DJ Naida is a female DJ/Producer/Female Rapper/MC/Songwriter/Artist from Harare, Zimbabwe. In a male dominated industry she has made her mark and continues to do so. She has won a male dominated Dj Battle and come 2nd in the highly acclaimed Lion Lager DJ Battle. Her love for music is seen in her passion and she is also now a DJ on Zimbabwe’s No.1 Station Power FM. She has currently been given the title of Zimbabwe’s No. 1 female DJ and is set to release a mixtape featuring original compositions on the 25th Of November 2011.

reverbnation.com/djnaida
facebook.com/DjNaida00
twitter.com/Dj_Naida

 

 

HEAVY D

Life is a remix.

EJFlavors.com podcasts consist of both music of the past (old-school) and music of the future (new-school rotations). Conceived in 2006 and continues to this day. Life is a remix. 

14-11-2011 (71.05 MB)

Duration: 79:56 m - Filetype: mp3 - Bitrate: 123.9858809269 KBPS - Frequency: 44100 HZ

Heavy D.

• Showing love to Heavy D. Michael, Jamet, Tyrese, Monifah, BB King, Anthony Hamilton, Carl Thomas, Soul For Real and more.

  
  Download  

 

James Jones Fellowship Contest

Breiseth Hall 570-408-4547(T) Email

2012 Winners

Winner ($10,000):

• Lise Brody, Athol, MA is the winner of the James Jones First Novel Fellowhip with her manuscript titled For One Thing She Did. 

Runners-Up ($750):

• Andrea Levin,New York, NY is the runner-up with her manuscript titled Last Days of the Transitional Objects Institute.
• Viet Nguyen, Los Angeles, CA is the runner-up with his manuscript titled The Sympathizer.

 
Honorable Mention out of 585 submissions

• Victoria Kelley, Virginia Beach, VA, for her manuscript Where People Go When They Disappear. 

 

Judges: Laurie Moyer, James Jones Society Advisory Board;  Tina Russ, James Jones Society Advisory Board; and Kaylie Jones, daughter of James Jones and novelist. 

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The 22nd Annual James Jones First Novel Fellowship

will be awarded to an American author of a first fiction novel-in-progress, in 2013, by the James Jones Literary Society. Novellas and collections of closely linked short stories may also be considered for the competition.

The award is intended to honor the spirit of unblinking honesty, determination, and insight into modern culture exemplified by the late James Jones, author of From Here to Eternity and other prose narratives of distinction. Jones himself was the recipient of aid from many supporters as a young writer and his family, friends, and admirers have established this award of $10,000 to continue the tradition in his name. Two runner up awards of $750 each will also be given by the Jones Literary Society.

Eligibility: The competition is open to United States citizens who have not previously published a novel. Manuscripts may be submitted for publication simultaneously, but the Society must be notified of acceptance elsewhere. Officers of the James Jones Society are not eligible for the award.

Entry Fee: A $25 check/money order, payable to Wilkes University, NOT to James Jones First Novel Fellowship, must accompany each entry.  For online submissions add a $3.00 processing fee.

Manuscript Guidelines: A two-page (maximum) outline of the entire novel and the first 50 pages of the novel-in-progress are to be submitted.

The manuscript must be typed and double-spaced; outline may be single-spaced. Entrants submitting via snail mail should include their name, address, telephone number and e-mail address (if available) on the title page, but nowhere else on the manuscript. For those entrants submitting online, name, address, telephone number and e-mail address should NOT appear anywhere on the manuscript.  Pages should be numbered.

If a manuscript is selected for the final round, the author will be asked to send another copy of the originally submitted first 50 pages plus pages 51-100. Submissions will be acknowledged only if accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped postcard. No manuscripts will be returned.
Failure to comply with manuscript guidelines may disqualify entries.

For a copy of the press release on the winners, please submit a SASE (to the address listed in the next paragraph) marked "Winners 2013 Contest." The press release will be available in late Fall 2013.

Entries can be mailed via SNAILMAIL or our ONLINE SUBMISSION FORM.  Hard Copy entries should be sent to the James Jones First Novel Fellowship, c/o M.A./M.F.A. in Creative Writing, Wilkes University, 84 West South Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766, and postmarked no later than March 1, 2013. ONLINE SUBMISSION FORM entries should be sent to jamesjones.submishmash.com/submit.  ELECTRONIC ENTRIES should be sent no later than midnight, March 1, 2013.

The winner will be notified in September 2013. The first-prize winner must accept the award at the James Jones Literary Society Conference held each fall, usually in early November. Transportation funding will be provided. An excerpt from the winning manuscript will be published in Provincetown Arts (July 2014.)

Entries for the 2013 contest will be accepted after October 1, 2012.
For more information, please contact us via e-mail.

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Frequently Asked Questions 

Q: I submitted a manuscript for the 2012 contest. Can I resubmit it for the 2013 contest?
A: Yes, resubmitted manuscripts are accepted.  

Q: How many manuscripts are received every year?
A: We usually receive close to 600 manuscripts. 558 manuscripts were submitted to the 2012 contest.  

Q: May I enter more than one manuscript?
A: Yes, multiple entries from the same author are allowed, but each submission must be mailed separately along with a $25.00 entry fee and $28 for each online entry.

Q: I plan on making several revisions to my novel-in-progress. If I am selected as a finalist and have to provide pages 1-100, can I submit my revised version?
A: No. Please keep a copy of the original version you submited to the contest (as well as pages 51-100). All of the judges have to read the same version.

Q: Does a self-published novel make me ineligible for the fellowship?
A: Yes. We do not accept entires from authors who have self-published.